Thrust into an international quagmire not of its making, the current conflict in the neighborhood offers Pakistan a challenge and an opportunity. Just when the country had become a pariah, and hopelessly isolated in the comity of nations, the riveting obsession on the region by the world’s superpower certainly has come as a salvation. What Pakistan can reap from this unexpected windfall depends solely on the manipulative skills of its leadership.
Through its cooperation the Islamic Republic has been made the frontline state in the war against terrorism. There could be no greater honor for a country in view of the 9/11 tragedy. Besides its principled stand Islamabad is taking considerable risk in becoming, once again, the water-carrier for the United States.
The country has been used and dumped before, not once, but three times. First, in the US struggle against communism through alliance in CENTO and SEATO. Second, in fighting against Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. Third, cooperating after the Iranian Revolution and during the Gulf War. Each time the country was left holding the bag when the US walked away. This must not happen again.
Once bitten twice shy, Pakistan, in having been burned ought to wrench as many concessions as possible after the prior deception and betrayal. The leaders must think in terms of the total welfare of the nation, with economic development as the endgame. Massive capital and assistance must be procured for the eradication of poverty; putting an educational system in place with modern schools and universities a priority; creating an industrial infrastructure, modernizing agricultural production and opening up the country with roads and highways as urgent needs.
The US offer of one billion dollars in foreign aid falls short of the mark. It is badly needed but ought to be supplemented with additional billions over the course of years if deprivation, that feeds extremism, is to be eliminated. The debt write-off would be a step in the right direction.
Equally, if not more important, would be the reduction of tariffs and the elimination of quotas on the US import of textiles from Pakistan. If American market were opened up Pakistani economy would dramatically pick up. An agreement for
Duty-free imports, like the one put in place with Jordan, ought to be seriously considered. No price in its fight against terror should be too great for America.
Pakistan’s future could be at a turning point depending on the diplomatic and negotiating skills of its leaders. Pervez Musharraf cannot do the job alone although he could be a role model and inspiration for people in his administration. Judging by his UN speech and his press conferences he seems to be at the top politically. One hopes that others in leadership positions are equally talented.
Musharraf wants to pursue “Pakistan’s national interest” and has said so in an interview with Newsweek. He is the only Pakistani leader to have mentioned that concept ever. In that regard he resembles Bush, or any other American leader, who frequently talks of pursuing US “national interests” regardless of what happens to other countries.
The world has been beating a path to Islamabad in the name of international solidarity against terrorism. Pakistan’s critical assistance is a perfect justification to exact a price for its cooperation. This is once in a lifetime opportunity.
Bill Clinton could barely stand to spend five hours in the country. But now delegation after delegation land at the airport in Islamabad that includes generals, presidents, foreign ministers, top world leaders as Tony Blair, Don Rumsfeld and Colin Powell.
Reporters who had to look up Pakistan in a map are now broadcasting from Quetta, in the wild frontier of the nation. The transformation from the status of a pariah to that of a nation courted by the international community has been remarkable. The country has truly been placed under an international spotlight.
Unlike his last visit, when no one paid him any attention and the American administration deliberately shunned him, Musharraf has been publicly feted in Washington and had a highly publicized meeting with Bush. This high visibility relationship must be translated into tangible action for the country’s leap forward. The US is the bonanza for Pakistan’s transformation if the top leadership has the necessary skills and vision.
The transformation from the status of a pariah to that of a nation courted by the international community has been remarkable. The country has truly been placed under an international spotlight.